State Senator Tony Avella last week announced a $120,000 grant to the Douglas Manor Environmental Association (DMEA), which will help fund a restoration project on an ancient wetland in Douglas Manor.

The wetland is in Memorial Field at 30-01 Marinette Street. The restoration will remove an invasive plant species that disrupts the breeding habits of the fish who live in the wetlands.

DMEA president Melanie McGillic hopes the restoration will bring more fish and birds to the wetland.

“The wetland is important to restore to benefit our environment and restore the natural habitat,” she said.

The project is expected to take five years, according to DMEA secretary Jamie Sutherland.

“This restoration project is important because it’s also incorporating students and how they can make improvements to the environment,” Avella said.

Over 300 students from P.S.98 in Douglaston and 200 sixth-grade students from M.S.67 in Little Neck will analyze and study the site as part of their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum.

"Our students will have more scientific information and access to more scientific data that they can bring to the classroom," said P.S. 198 assistant principal Toso Lampoutis.